Often when we are hiring, we look for someone who will work hard, be reliable and honest, someone who has the right skill set, will fit in with the climate of the office and become truly invested in the company. Finding that perfect fit however, tends to be quite the feat; and given the significant amount of time and money that it takes to on-board someone, it’s important that it works out. Here are a few tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to finding the right people for you team no matter the industry:

Beginning the Hunt

Start by looking at your best hires, whether they be present or past. What characteristics or traits do they all have in common? Inquire about where these people looked for jobs when they were applying, and what they were doing before they joined your team. These might prove to be valuable insights going forward in terms of what to look for in new hires and where you might find good ones.

Because birds of a feather flock together, consider also asking existing employees for any candidates they might know of. Chances are, if they are willing to stick their neck out on this person’s behalf and are willing to work with them, they might be worth looking into.

If and when you do post, try to be specific in your ad in order to weed out unqualified candidates.

The Interview Process

So you’ve cast your net and caught a fish, how do you know if it’s the right one? The interview process is a crucial point in determining if an applicant is worth the investment. Unfortunately, typical interview questions have become somewhat predictable and the answers to them even more rehearsed. Because of this, more often than not, they are not good markers in truly vetting someone. To avoid this pitfall, don’t be afraid to make up your own questions and throw a few curve balls in for good measure.

It’s even okay to go off topic and have a personal conversation, as you might find out more than you bargained for in a good way. For example, learning about their passions and interests outside of work usually sheds light on what really drives them professionally.

It’s also important that their needs match yours, so instead of diving in by telling them exactly what you’re looking for, ask them what they’re looking for in their next role first. This ensures a more honest answer and not one that just merely reflect yours.

When determining the location for the interview, consider meeting up in place that’s out of their comfort zone. Perhaps a meal at a restaurant, where you can determine how well they are able to keep a conversation going and have time to see their true personality come out. Don’t interview alone, getting another perspective is always beneficial in that everyone thinks differently and they might be able to see something you don’t.

Lastly, take notes on how well they dress, their overall curiosity about the job and company, how they communicate their responses, and whether or not they follow up with you as a courtesy. These are all critical tellers in some way or another.

Decision Time

When it comes to deciding if a person should join your team or not, diversity is an important factor. A successful team is one that is diverse in their skill set and perspective. How would this person help the company grow in new ways and how well will they work with the other members of the team? If their resume isn’t related to the current position in a clear cut way, do their skills translate?

Before calling them back, dig deep when it comes to their references and online identity. Don’t ignore any doubts or hire in a hurry out of necessity. For extra assurance, ask them to complete a task so you can see how well they perform under pressure and manage their time. If all goes well, a trial hire is always a good option to see if it’s the right fit.

At Number8, we connect companies with IT talend and software developers that are fully trained in agile product development. By encouraging talent to come up with creative solutions, they remain motivated and positively contribute to a healthy company culture. If you’re interested in learning more about Number8 and what we do, give us a call at (502) 890-7665, or check out our information page!

https://i1.wp.com/number8.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/n8-team.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1533800Number8https://number8.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/logo-300x84.pngNumber82019-01-29 09:30:442019-01-24 16:53:36How to Find the Best Talent for Your Team

With recent advancements in artificial intelligence, cutting edge security threats and more devices than ever connected to the Internet, 2018 proved to be a memorable year for the tech industry. Wondering what 2019 will bring?

Here are our top picks for the most exciting tech projects set to debut this year, featuring a few notable head turners from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES):

The First Flying Car

Tech has certainly had it’s way with transportation as of late. Even among the reinvention of scooters, Ubers, bullet trains and electric planes, self driving cars have no doubt grabbed the headlines. That is, until now. Terrafugia has combined the features of an automobile and aircraft in it’s latest flying car dubbed the Transition. All of our childhood visions will become a reality when the vehicle comes to market this year.

A Portable Solar Charger

Thought solar panels were just for your roof? Though still in it’s Kickstarter days, SolarCru’sfoldable solar panels intend to have us all re-imagining what we think we know about eco-friendly energy sources. This revolutionary device is slated to offer an outdoor charging option and is compatible with a range of devices.

Powered Exoskeletons

Samsung’s lower body exoskeleton made a splash at this year’s CES. The wearable device known as the Gait Enhancing Motivational System is intended to help in the rehabilitation process and can even provide a gentle boost during a workout by adding resistance or allowing it’s wearer to walk with less effort. Because if we can’t beat the robots, we mine as well become them.

Flexible Mannequins

The one size fits all mannequin may be in the past thanks to a start up called Euveka who’s mannequins are able to be reshaped in a matter of seconds. Whether it’s liquid or air pressure driven, this feat of genius will help showcase a multitude of body types and allow designers to scale up or down their designs to fit truly everyone.

In House Concerts

Sony’s latest concept, 360 reality audio is working to incorporate a spatial dimension so that when songs are played through Sony’s new speaker, they will sound like they are being performed live. The company also intends to bring this new level of sound to other speaker systems, headphones and even streaming services.

Musical Coding

Sphero’s Specdrums aim to teach kids to code through music. The “app-enabled rings allow children to create and play music by using colors on a variety of surfaces as their instruments.” This tactile way of turning color into sound is groundbreaking in it’s ability to infer problem-solving skills that are necessary in the world of coding.

At Number8, we connect companies with IT talent and software developers that are fully trained in product development. By encouraging talent to come up with creative solutions, they remain motivated and positively contribute to a healthy company culture. If you’re interested in learning more about Number8 and what we do, give us a call at (502) 890-7665, or check out our information page.

While it’s ideal in terms of a project’s completion to have a big team working simultaneously around the world, the reality of doing so can make managing a project and a team that much harder.

Here are a few tips to effectively managing a remote workforce and making sure everyone is on the same page.

1. Have clear expectations and instructions.

If you’re not careful, miscommunications can arise quite often in the world of telecommuting. When it comes to assigning tasks it can be most beneficial to first explain the overarching objective of the project and then outline how you wish them to fulfill their responsibilities, and by what date. This can help cut down on timely revisions. Additionally, don’t be afraid to offer constructive criticism. Honest feedback is essential in order for a team member to reach his or her goals and continue to grow in their abilities.

2. Be aware of the time difference.

While it’s great to have a team that works while you can’t, working with a staff in a different time zone means you have to be patient when it’s their turn to have time off. It’s up to you to walk the line between keeping them accountable by monitoring their use of time, and being realistic when it comes to setting deadlines or waiting for a response to an inquiry. Consider making a schedule everyone has access to so the whole team knows when they can and cannot reach each other, and implement a system for reporting what tasks were done when.

3. Be inclusive and offer incentives.

It’s just as important that your remote staff feels appreciated and in the loop as your onsite staff does. Rewarding them for going the extra mile and getting their opinion every once in a while will ensure that they are as invested in the outcome of the project as you are no matter how far away they are.

4. Keep a standard of professionalism.

Communicating online in today’s world has become increasingly relaxed. However, it’s still worthwhile to communicate with your remote staff in a way that shows leadership and respect. This is business after all and your employees will be less likely to slack off if they are held to a higher standard of conducting it.

At Number 8, we help companies connect with qualified remote employees to help with software development. We also focus on helping companies improve their internal IT processes. If you’re interested in learning more about Number8 and what we do, give us a call at (502) 890-7665, or check out our information page here!

Outsourcing software development has become an increasingly popular path for startups and small businesses alike. Instead of taking on the overhead of hiring employees in house, utilizing a remote workforce allows you to focus on your core business functions while growing at an affordable rate.

When it comes to outsourcing, there are a myriad of options available. One can opt to go Offshore, Nearshore or Onshore in terms of finding a remote workforce. Countries farther away are Offshore, those nearby are considered Nearshore, and Onshore means operating within your own country. Depending on your company’s origin, there are many pros and cons that come with selecting a specific location to outsource your software development needs.

While the U.S. and Canada each have tech reliant economies, the cost associated with doing business there tends to be higher and the demand for skilled workers has resulted in a shortage. Therefore, most businesses are left with the option to take advantage of the resources of a more global market. Here are the top 3 countries for software development in terms of quality and cost:

Latin America

While many South American countries including Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia are becoming increasingly adept in the tech world, Costa Rica is a popular choice when outsourcing software development work. Their top notch IT programs produce good programmers and their culture has embraced innovation in technology as well as the agile methodology of project management.

Asia

While India and the Philippines are known for their IT services, China is the leader when it comes to the outsourcing industry in Asia. China produces twice as many graduates as the United States, and as a result has a vast tech advanced work force. Coupled with it’s growing economy, China is a hot bed for outsourcing software development tasks.

Eastern Europe

In Eastern Europe, Poland and the Ukraine dominate the field of outsourced software development work. Both have an abundance of educated software engineers as a result of rich STEM educational programs.

Before outsourcing your company’s software development, you’ll want to properly vet each agency to ensure a high quality of work. Take language, cultural barriers and possible travel expenses into account as well. Countries with a stable and supportive government offer a more favorable business climate to operate in, and a difference in time zone could reduce the time to market or make communication difficult.

At Number8, we help businesses optimize their operations with onshore, nearshore, and offshore outsourcing. Our teams–both foreign and domestic– provide effective communication and service that allow your business to grow at a rate that keeps up with your market. If you’re interested in learning more about Number8 and what we do, give us a call at (502) 890-7665, or check out our information page here!

https://i0.wp.com/number8.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/n8-blog.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1800800Number8https://number8.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/logo-300x84.pngNumber82019-01-08 19:37:332019-01-08 19:38:49The Top 3 Locations for Outsourcing Software Development